The principal of the secondary school abducted alongside teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, has shared the traumatic experiences she and the other victims endured during their 56 days in captivity.
Speaking after she and the rescued teachers and pupils were formally handed over to Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, Alamu said the captives spent most of their time in the open forest, exposed to harsh weather while relying on faith and hope for survival.
She revealed that although she was not physically assaulted, many of the children, especially the younger ones, were severely beaten whenever they cried or made noise.
According to her, the kidnappers tied pieces of cloth around the mouths of crying children to silence them, fearing the noise could expose their location to security forces.
Alamu disclosed that the kidnappers frequently relocated the captives whenever they suspected security operatives were closing in. These movements often began at night and involved trekking through forests for three to four hours, leaving many victims with bruises and injuries.
She explained that while the youngest children were carried by the abductors, older pupils were forced to walk long distances through difficult terrain, often falling repeatedly due to exhaustion.
The principal also recalled that shortly after their abduction, they were transported deeper into the forest using her vehicle before being transferred to motorcycles, which carried them for several hours along remote bush paths.
Despite the harsh conditions, Alamu said none of the victims was sexually assaulted during their captivity.
She added that the male teachers endured even harsher treatment, revealing they were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained throughout much of their ordeal.
Reflecting on the experience, Alamu admitted that returning to work in a rural community would require great courage, noting that with just a few years left before retirement, the incident had profoundly affected her outlook.
The teachers and pupils were rescued by security forces after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction from schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
